Why Does God Ordain Suffering? - Part 4
Romans 5:3–5
"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."
James 1:2–4
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
2 Corinthians 1:8–9
"We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead."
1 Peter 1:6–7
"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
2 Corinthians 4:17–18
"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
Romans 8:17–18
"Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
Hosea 5:15
"I will return to my lair until they have borne their guilt and seek my face— in their misery they will earnestly seek me."
Acts 17:26–27
"From one man he made all the nations... and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us."
Philippians 3:10
"I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death."
1 Peter 2:21
"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."
John 9:2–3
"His disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned,' said Jesus, 'but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.'"
2 Corinthians 12:9
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
2 Corinthians 1:3–4
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
Romans 8:35–39
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."
Introduction: The Testimony of Job and the Purpose of Suffering
The book of Job provides one of the Bible’s most precise and profound pictures of suffering. Job was a righteous man who feared God and turned away from evil, yet endured unimaginable loss, pain, and despair. Though Job could not fully understand the reasons for his suffering, he remained steadfast in seeking God. Ultimately, God revealed His sovereignty, wisdom, and compassion, restoring Job and blessing him even more.
Job’s story reminds us that suffering is not always a punishment for wrongdoing, but often a part of God's greater plan—a plan that refines, strengthens, and reveals the depth of our faith. In Job 23:10, Job declares in faith, "But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold." Through suffering, God draws us closer to Himself, teaches us dependence, molds our character, and ultimately prepares us for eternal glory.
The New Testament echoes this truth in James 1:2–4, where we are encouraged, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Like Job, believers are called to endure trials with faith, knowing that through them, God refines our character, strengthens our spirit, and prepares us for eternal glory.
As we explore why God ordains suffering, may we, like Job and as taught in James, learn to trust in God’s greater purpose. Even when His ways are hidden from us, we can be confident that He is working all things together for our good and for His glory.
God, in His wisdom, allows suffering for various purposes. The Bible reveals several reasons He ordains suffering, each leading to greater spiritual growth and dependence on Him.
1. To Draw People to Himself
Acts 17:26-27 – “God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”
Hosea 5:15 – “In their misery they will earnestly seek me.”
Suffering often makes people realize their need for God and seek Him.
2. To Produce Endurance and Character
Romans 5:3-4 – “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
James 1:2-4 – “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
Hardships shape and refine us into Christlike maturity.
3. To Discipline and Correct
Hebrews 12:6, 10-11 – “The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son… Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Psalm 119:67 – “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.”
God’s discipline through suffering leads to repentance and holiness.
4. To Teach Dependence on God, Not Self
2 Corinthians 1:8-9 – “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure… But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”
John 15:5 – “Apart from me you can do nothing.”
Suffering teaches us to rely on God’s strength rather than our own.
5. To Demonstrate God’s Power and Glory
John 9:2-3 – “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
God’s power is revealed through human weakness and suffering.
6. To Make Us More Like Christ
Philippians 3:10 – “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”
1 Peter 2:21 – “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”
Through suffering, believers are conformed to Christ’s image.
7. To Refine Faith Like Gold
1 Peter 1:6-7 – “These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold—may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
Job 23:10 – “When he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”
Trials purify and strengthen our faith.
8. To Prepare Us for Future Glory
Romans 8:17-18 – “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
2 Corinthians 4:17 – “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
Suffering is temporary, but eternal glory awaits believers.
9. To Make Us More Compassionate Toward Others
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – “The God of all comfort… comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
Personal suffering equips believers to encourage and support others.11. To Humble Us and Prevent Pride
2 Corinthians 12:7-9 – “To keep me from becoming conceited… there was given me a thorn in my flesh… But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”
Deuteronomy 8:2-3 – “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart.”
Suffering can break pride and remind us of our dependence on God.
12. To Test and Prove Our Faith
Genesis 22:1 – “Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, ‘Abraham!’ ‘Here I am,’ he replied.”
James 1:12 – “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised.”
Hardships test whether our faith is genuine and steadfast.
13. To Make Us Worthy of God’s Kingdom
2 Thessalonians 1:4-5 – “We boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result, you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God.”
Acts 14:22 – “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”
Suffering is part of our journey toward eternal life with Christ.
14. To Show That This World Is Not Our Home
Hebrews 13:14 – “For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.”
Philippians 3:20 – “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Earthly suffering reminds believers that their ultimate home is in heaven.
15. To Bring Justice Against the Wicked
Psalm 34:21 – “Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.”
Revelation 20:12-13 – “And the dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.”
Sometimes suffering is a consequence of sin or God’s judgment against evil.
16. To Teach Us Obedience
Hebrews 5:8 – “Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered.”
Psalm 119:71 – “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.”
Even Jesus, in His humanity, learned obedience through suffering.
17. To Display the Reality of Spiritual Warfare
Ephesians 6:12 – “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world.”
1 Peter 5:8-9 – “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.”
Many sufferings are linked to the spiritual battle between good and evil.
18. To Reveal the Works of God in Us
Job 42:5 – “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.”
John 11:4 – “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”
God can use suffering to bring about miraculous change or deepen our knowledge of Him.
19. To Show That True Treasure Is in Heaven, Not Earth
Matthew 6:19-20 – “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
2 Corinthians 4:18 – “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Suffering can help believers shift their focus from temporary wealth to eternal riches.
20. To Show the Depth of God’s Love Through Christ’s Suffering
Romans 8:32 – “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
Isaiah 53:3-5 – “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain… the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
The greatest act of love in history was revealed through Christ’s suffering on the cross.
As you read these points, pay attention to the scriptures and meditate on them. Life is a process of sowing and reaping. Let us sow righteousness to reap God’s righteousness and His blessings upon our lives.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
we thank You for the wisdom of Your Word and the testimony of Job. When we face suffering, help us to trust in Your perfect plan and cling to Your unfailing love. Teach us to seek You earnestly, to grow in endurance and character, and to rely not on our own strength but on Your grace. Refine our faith like gold, that we may shine for Your glory. Remind us that our true home is with You, and that the trials we endure are preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. Strengthen our hearts to walk by faith and not by sight, until the day we see You face to face.
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.